Journal of Environmental Biology

Dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal enhances performance and cost of production of Broiler Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

A. Yadav¹*, A.K. Santra², A. Jain³, A. Dubey⁴ and A.K. Chaturvedani⁵     

¹Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg-491001, India

²Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg-491 001, India

³Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 001, India,

⁴Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Agriculture and Research Station, Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur-492 012, India

⁵Department of Veterinary Extension, FVAS, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, BHU, Mirzapur-231 001, India

Received: 24 March 2025                   Revised: 19 August 2025                   Accepted: 12 November 2025

*Corresponding Author Email : aayush.aayush091@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0876-534X

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to assess the impact of replacing soybean meal with Moringa oleifera leaf meal on the growth performance and feed economics of broiler Japanese quails.

Methodology: A total of 300 day-old Japanese quail chicks were procured and reared from 1 to 6 weeks of age. The birds were randomly allocated into five dietary treatment groups (M₀, M_0.5, M₁, M_1.5 and M₂) with three replicates per group, based on the graded inclusion levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) of Moringa oleifera leaf meal.

Results: The M. oleifera leaf meal was rich in crude protein and fibre. Significant improvements were observed on the growth traits, nutrient utilization, and serum biochemistry in quails fed on M. oleifera leaf meal based diets. The M. oleifera leaf meal based diets reduced feed cost per kilogram of live weight gain in quails by Rs. 9.80-45.84.

Interpretation: An inclusion level of 2% Moringa oleifera leaf meal was found to be optimal for all the parameters analyzed, and may therefore be recommended in the diets of broiler Japanese quails to enhance economic returns.

Key words: Broiler, Economics, Japanese quails, Moringa oleifera leaf meal

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